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American-Made Challenges

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MAKE IT Prize Facilities Track

Catalyzing domestic manufacturing of critical clean energy technology components.
stage:
Informational Webinar
prize:
$24,000,000
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Summary
Timeline
Updates7
Forum6
Teams245
Resources
FAQ
Summary

Overview

The Manufacture of Advanced Key Energy Infrastructure Technologies (MAKE IT) Prize aims to catalyze domestic manufacturing of critical clean energy technology components, moving manufacturing facilities from planning to shovel-ready and enabling strategies for vibrant manufacturing activities in communities. This prize, developed by the Office of Technology Transitions in partnership with the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, has a prize pool of approximately $30 million spread across two tracks: Facilities and Strategies. 

The Facilities Track accelerates clean energy technology manufacturing plant development and helps support establishing a robust, secure domestic supply chain for components deemed critical for the commercialization of clean energy technologies. This track invites U.S.-based entities with demonstrated commitment and capabilities in domestic manufacturing to complete and submit the work necessary for a shovel-ready manufacturing facility for specific clean energy technology components, including components related to hydrogen, the electric grid, long-duration energy storage, and carbon capture.  

This page outlines the eligibility and track structure for the Facilities Track. More information on the Facilities Track and instructions for competing can be found in the official rules document

For information on the Strategies Track, where competitors work to attract manufacturing to their regions, please visit the Strategies Track HeroX page.

 

Competitor Eligibility

U.S.-based entities interested in establishing a manufacturing plant for an eligible clean energy technology may submit a statement of intent for the Facilities Track. Eligible components include:

  • Manufacturing and/or recycling of components for production, processing, delivery, and storage, of clean hydrogen and/or hydrogen fuel cells:
    • Facilities to extract and process raw materials for electrolyzer and hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing
    • Precision manufactured subcomponents for electrolyzers and fuel cells and facilities for electrolyzer and fuel cell assembly
    • Optimized balance-of-plant components for electrolyzers
    • Production capacity for hydrogen-specific infrastructure.
  • Manufacturing of components related to electric grid upgrades and long-duration energy storage:
    • Components for distribution and large power transformers
    • Components for high-voltage direct current transmission
    • Manufacturing and assembly of long-duration energy storage components and systems.
  • Manufacturing of components related to carbon capture and storage:
    • Carbon capture solvent, sorbent, and membrane recovery facilities.

More information on competitor eligibility and the eligible components can be found in the official rules document

 

Track Structure

The Facilities Track includes submission of a statement of intent and two phases.

  • Statement of Intent: Competitors submit a letter of intent describing their team and the clean energy technology to be manufactured. Competitors will be notified if their statement is deemed eligible to compete in Phase 1: Scope. 
  • Phase 1: Scope: Competitors submit a plan to establish a manufacturing facility for their identified clean energy technology. Approximately 12 winners will be awarded $500,000 each and will advance to the Phase 2: Shovel-Ready.
  • Phase 2: Shovel-Ready: Competitors will demonstrate they are “shovel-ready” for the construction of a manufacturing facility including control of a site, permits, financing, and proof of community engagement. Up to four winners will be awarded $4.5 million each.

There are two opportunities to compete in the Facilities Track: through the Primary Timeline or the Secondary Timeline. Competitors who submit a statement of intent that is deemed eligible during the Primary Timeline may submit subsequent materials by either the Primary or Secondary Timeline deadlines, but are encouraged to submit as soon as they are ready, as a limited number of prizes are available and the competition will close once all funds are awarded.

Timeline

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More information can be found in the official rules document.

 

Upcoming Dates

Key Dates (estimated, subject to change)

 Primary timelineSecondary timeline
Informational webinarAug. 15, 2023TBD
Statement of Intent Deadline

0ct 18, 2023

Feb 1, 2024

Phase 1: Scope deadline

Feb 1, 2024

May 1, 2024

Phase 2: Shovel-Ready 

First Opportunity to Submit

August 2024

Phase 2: Shovel-Ready 

Second Opportunity to Submit

November 2024

Phase 2: Shovel-Ready 

Third Opportunity to Submit

February 2025

Phase 2: Shovel-Ready 

Fourth Opportunity to Submit

May 2025

 

All Dates (estimated, subject to change)

  • Informational Webinar #1: August 15, 2023
  • Statement of Intent Primary Deadline: October 18, 2023
  • Statement of Intent Primary Decision Notification (anticipated): November 2023
  • Phase 1: Scope Submission Primary Deadline: February 1, 2024
  • Statement of Intent Secondary Deadline: February 1, 2024
  • Statement of Intent Secondary Decision Notification (anticipated): February 2024
  • Phase 1: Scope Primary Winner Announcement: Approximately 60 days after deadline
  • Phase 1: Scope Submission Secondary Deadline: May 1, 2024
  • Phase 1: Scope Secondary Winner Announcement: Approximately 60 days after deadline

 

  • Phase 2: Shovel-Ready First Opportunity to Submit Deadline: Approximately August 2024
  • Phase 2: Shovel-Ready Second Opportunity to Submit Deadline: Approximately November 2024
  • Phase 2: Shovel-Ready Third Opportunity to Submit Deadline: Approximately February 2025
  • Phase 2: Shovel-Ready Fourth Opportunity to Submit Deadline: Approximately May 2025

 

Informational Webinar

The MAKE IT Prize Facilities Track informational webinar is on Aug. 15, 2023, at 12 p.m. MT. The webinar will give an overview of the Facilities Track and its phases, timelines, and submission requirements. Interested competitors can ask questions during the Q&A. Register for the webinar today

 

Challenge Guidelines

The official rules document contains the complete application process and instructions for competing.

Follow the challenge page to receive the latest updates. For any questions, please use the contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at .


 

 


Guidelines

Please review the official rules for the complete application process and instructions for competing.

Follow the challenge page to receive the latest updates. For any questions, please use the contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at .

Timeline
Updates7

Challenge Updates

Facilities Track Competitors: Here’s an Overview of Eligible Clean Energy Components, Starting With Hydrogen

Sept. 26, 2023, 8:50 a.m. PDT by NREL Moderator

With the deadline to submit a statement of intent approaching on October 18, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET, we want to provide an overview of the clean energy technology areas where the Facilities track of the MAKE IT prize offers eligible components: hydrogen, grid updates, carbon capture and storage, and long-duration energy storage. This first post discusses hydrogen.

 

Why Do We Need Hydrogen?

Hydrogen is not only the most abundant element in the universe, it’s also the lightest and most plentiful gas. Because hydrogen is easy to transport and store, it is a promising energy carrier and can be used to generate electricity, heat homes and businesses, and power vehicles. 

 

The global market for hydrogen is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Pathways to Commercial Liftoff report on Clean Hydrogen predicts that demand for hydrogen could reach 10 million metric tons per year by 2030 and 50 million metric tons per year by 2050, driven by the need to decarbonize the U.S. economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

 

How Can We Ramp Up Clean Hydrogen Production

To achieve our clean energy goals—and capitalize on growing domestic and international hydrogen markets—the entire clean hydrogen supply chain must scale rapidly. That’s where the MAKE IT Prize comes in. To meet the demands of a growing hydrogen market, the country will need to rapidly manufacture necessary components, and extract, refine, and/or recycle materials required for the increased hydrogen production and usage. 

 

Through the Facilities Track, teams will work to bolster the domestic hydrogen supply chain by accelerating the development of the following types of facilities and components (competitors can learn more about eligible components in the prize’s official rules document):

  • Facilities to extract and process raw materials for electrolyzer and hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing.
  • Precision manufactured subcomponents for electrolyzers and fuel cells and facilities for electrolyzer and fuel cell assembly.
  • Optimized balance-of-plant components for electrolyzers, including compressors and power electrionics.
  • Production capacity for hydrogen-specific infrastructure, including tube trailers and supplies for storage and distribution systems.

 

How Can You Help?

There are many uses for hydrogen, from generating electricity to powering shipping and heavy-duty transportation. But current demand for fuel cells is expected to significantly exceed global supplies unless we increase domestic production. 

 

That’s why we need your help. Learn more and apply to compete in the MAKE IT Prize’s Facilities Track by October 18, 2023, 5 p.m. ET. Help catalyze domestic manufacturing of critical clean energy components so that we can meet our decarbonization goals and maximize the associated benefits.   

 

 


Deadline Upcoming

Sept. 18, 2023, 7 a.m. PDT by NREL Moderator

The Manufacture of Advanced Key Energy Infrastructure Technology (MAKE IT) Prize Facilities Track Deadline is one month away. 

Make sure you read the Official Rules Document and schedule your 1:1 time with our Power Connectors to ensure your application is submission ready! 


Get Your Questions Answered

Sept. 7, 2023, 6:59 a.m. PDT by NREL Moderator

Meet the two Power Connectors supporting MAKE IT Prize applicants: yet2 (Facilities Track) and the Clean Energy Business Network (Strategies and Facilities Tracks). Together, these Power Connectors are offering two Group Sessions, starting with a quick review of the prize goals, rules, timelines, and considerations impacting which track is the best fit for you, along with information on yet2 and CEBN’s respective areas of expertise and assistance. Then they will open the session to Q&A, applicant feedback, and any other guidance requested. Two identical group sessions are being offered to accommodate different time zones. 

 REGISTER FOR GROUP SESSIONS:

Group session 9/12, 10-11 am ET: https://secure.everyaction.com/27o4K5DLAki8W34ROdGnwg2 

Group session 9/13, 2-3 pm ET: https://secure.everyaction.com/VASZ8G-U9U2LL3axhfMyCA2

And don't forget, our Power Connectors are offering 1:1 Office Hours for you to connect with them about your application. Schedule yours today!


CEBN (Strategies or Facilities): https://bit.ly/Make-It-Office-Hours

yet2 (Facilities): https://calendly.com/amclaren-yet2/nrel-make-it-prize-office-hours


Informational Webinar Recording Now Available

Aug. 22, 2023, 9:43 a.m. PDT by NREL Moderator

Thank you to all who attended the Facilities Track Informational Webinar! The webinar recording is now available in the Resources section. We compiled the questions from the webinar and will be releasing an FAQ document in the coming week.  


Registration Reminder: Facilities Track Informational Webinar

Aug. 11, 2023, 10:50 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

Remember to register for the Facilities Track Informational Webinar on Aug. 15, 2023, at 12 p.m. MT. During the webinar, presenters will give an overview of the Facilities Track and its phases, timelines, and submission requirements. Attendees will also have the opportunity to submit questions. Please visit the Zoom registration page to register today.


Forum6
Teams245
Resources
FAQ